Refrigerating apparatus



Dec. 8, 1942. I

G. M. KLEUCKER REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed June 12, 1959 2 Sheets-Shet1 INVE NTOR GEORGE M. KLEuc KER ATTORNEY Dec. 8, 1942. M. KLEUCKER p2,304,

REFRIGERATING APPARATUS Filed June 12, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORGEORGE M. KLEUCKER ATTORNEY Patented 1942 nnmreaaa'rmo APPARATUS IGeorge M. Kleucker, St. Louis, Mo., assignor, by mesne assignments, toWilliam P. Gruner, St.

Louis, Mo.

1 Application June 12, 1939, Serial No. 278,608

601mm. (01. 82-126) This invention relates generally to refrigeratingapparatus and, more particularly, to a certain new and usefulimprovementin refrigerating methods and apparatus of the type commonly now known asquick freezing particularly adapted for low temperature refrigeration.

My invention has for its primary objects the provision of refrigeratingapparatus of the type stated which may be cheaply constructed, which isexceedingly economical in operation and maintenance, which is especiallywell suited to the production of relatively low temperatures, which iscompact, rugged, and durable, and has relatively few moving parts, andwhich is highly emcient in the performance of its stated and intendedfunctions.

My invention has for a further object the provision of a method ofproducing a refrigerating effect which is extremely efiicient andeconomical.

And with the above and other objects in view,

' my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction,arrangement, and combination of parts presently described and pointedout in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings (2 sheets). Figure 1 is an end elevationalview of a refrigerating apparatus constructed in accordance with'andembodying my present invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, partly -'broken away and insection, of the apparatus;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the apparatus,taken approximately along the line 3-3, Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section,of a slightly modified form of refrigerating apparatus embodying mypresent invention;

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the modifiedapparatus of Figure 4, taken approximately along the line 55, Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional viewof a second slightly modified formof refrigerating apparatus embodying my present invention; and

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view of the modified apparatus ofFigure 6, taken approximately along the line Figure 6.

Referring now in more detail and by reference characters to thedrawings, which illustrate practical embodiments of my presentinvention, the refrigerating apparatus includes a cooler A comprising anintermediate horizontally disposed cylindrical shell I providedpreferably integrally along its up er peripheral surface with an axiallyheader 2 and along its lower peripheral surface, preferably in diametraljuxta-position to the header 2, with an axially or longitudinallyextending channel-shaped sump 3.

Welded or otherwise hermetically sealed to,

and extending transversely across one end of,

the shell I, is a rear end wall I, and similarly mounted across theopposite end of the shelll, is a front end wall 5 having a concentricmouthforming aperture 6.

Co-axially supported within the shell I by a plurality of axially spacedring-shaped fins or supporting baflles 'I- and at an end abuttinglywelded or otherwise hermetically sealed against an inner cylindricalshell 8,

the end wall 4, is which is approximately of the same diametral size as,and registers with, the aperture 6, the fins I being chordwise cut awayacross the upper portion of their periphery,

segmental gas passage I0. I

Welded or otherwise secured along the lower margins of the header 2, isa pair of inwardly and obliquely downwardly extending distributorplatesII spaced from each other at their opposed inner margins in theprovision of .an elongated discharge slot or opening II, and mounted inand extending vertically through one of the plates I I for communicationat its opposite ends,

- best seen in Figure 3 and for respectively, with the gas space I0 andthe free space of the header i2,is a vent tube I2, all as purposespresently fully appearing.

Disposed around the entire outer periphery of the shell I and itsassociated end wall 4 and front wall 5, is a relatively thick layer I3of insulating or non-conducting material such as cork, rock wool, or thelike, held in place'by an outer over-all casin I4 constructed of sheetmeta1, heavy fabric, or other conventional insulation retainingmaterial, all and 3.

HingedLv mounted in any conventional manor longitudinally extendingdome-like channel or Extending through the casing I i, the insulati'nglayer I3, and'into the sump 3, is a high-pressure liquid line I8communicating at itsouter as'at 9, in the provision of an axially orlongitudinally extending as best seen in Figures 2 Tthe header supplyline 22 .posed side walls 26,

the outside, it is to be understood that an ejector or pump placeddirectly into the sump may be substituted and equally well employed.

Also extending through the casing 14, the insulating layer I3, and theshell I for communication at its inner end with the gas passage 40, is asuction line 23 having communicating connection at its outer end withthe suction manifold of a conventional refrigerant compressor (notshown).

In use and operation, liquid refrigerant is delivered from the receiverthrough the supply line l8 and the float valve is to the sump 3 and isthence circulated through the recirculation line 20, the recirculatingpump or the like 21, and to the header 2 and flows downwardly throughthe header discharge slot I! over the outer surface of the inner shell 8in a continuous and substantially uninterrupted sheet or film. As theliquid refrigerant enters the sump 3 through the float valve 19, acertain portion thereof is evaporated in the formation of flash gas,which is exhausted and returned to the compressor through the suctionline 23 and a back-pressure valve 24.

into the sump 3,

. sage 39.

It will, of course, be understood that the liquid refrigerant flowinginto the sump 3 will be chilled to a predetermined temperature dependingon the setting of the back-pressure control valve 24.

The liquid refrigerant, whichis thereupon circulated as described to theheader 2, will be at correspondingly low temperature and, in flowingover the outer surface of the shell 8, will produce a'primary coolingeffect as a cold liquor. In addition, a certain amount of evaporation,the heat load picked up from inside, will take place in the body of thefilm flowing over the outer surface of the shell 8, but any gas bubbleswhich tend to form will be sheared oil and ultimately discharged fromthe outer surface of the film into the free space between the innershell 5 and the shell I for evacuation and return to the compressorthrough the suction line 23 and the back-pressure valve 24, so that theliquid refrigerant film will be maintained at low temperature, therebyproducing an extremely efiicient cooling effect upon the interior of theinner shell 8 and the meat, fruit, vegetables, ice-cream, or othermaterial placed therein for freezing.

In the case of certain objects, it has been found desirable to provide asomewhat differently shaped cooler, such as the cooler B, Figures 4, 5,

which cooler comprises an intermediate shell 25 having a pair of spacedparallel vertically dis- 21, a horizontally disposed bottom wall 28, anda dome-shaped top wall 29 centrally provided with anaxially extendinginverted channel-shaped header30. Across its one end, the shell 25 isprovided with a rear end wall 3| and across its other end with anannular front wall -32 centrally apertured in the provision of anopening or mouth 33 of preferably elongated oval shape. I

Co-axially supported within the shell 25 by a dueto hermetically sealedagainst margins 0 .pair of inwardly and obliquely downwardly ex- I hole"type cooler Omay also be employed, such -tured in the provision of acircular .to the margin of,

plurality of spaced ring-shaped baffles or fins 34 and at an endabuttingly welded or otherwise the rear end wall 3|, is an inner shell35, which is approximately of the same size and shape as, and aperture33, the fins or supporting baiiles 34 being horizontally cut away alongtheir respective upper margins, as at 36, in the provision of a gaspassage 31 and along their respective lower margins, as at 38, in theprovision of a liquid pas- Welded the side walls of the header 30, is atending distributor plates 40 spaced from each other by a short distancealong their inner longitudinal margins in the provision of an elongateddischarge slot or opening Figure 5 and for purposes presently fullyappearing. I

Disposed around the outer surface of the shell 25, is a continuous layer42 of any suitable insulating material protected and held in place by aconventional outer casing 43, and hingedly mounted on the front wall 32and sized for tightfitting closure-forming engagement in the shell mouth33, is an insulated door 44 provided with a suitable locking handle 45for retentive engagement in a suitable detent or keeper 45 fixed uponthe front wall 32.

The shell 25 is provided with a supply line 13', a. float valve IS, arecirculating line 20', a. recirculating pump 2i', a header supply line22', a suction line 23', and a back-pressure valve 24' substantiallyidentical in all respects with the previously described cooler A,. allas best seen in Figure 5. It will, of course,

employed instead of the pump 2|.

As shown in'Figures 6 and "I, a vertical or "potcooler including avertically disposed open-ended cylindrical outer shell 41 having ahorizontal bottom wall 48 and a top wall 49 centrally aperopening 50.Co-axially disposed within the outer shell 41 and welded or otherwisehermetically sealed upon the bottom wall 48, is an inner shell 5|diametrally sized for registration with, and being welded or otherwisesealed at its upper end the shell mouth 50. Disposed around the outersurface of the shell 41 and over the bottom wall 48 and top wall 49, isa relatively thick layer 52 of suitab-e insulating materialconventionally held in place by an outer casing 53.

Provided for snug-fitting removable disposition 1 within the shell mouthor opening 50, is a thick insulated disk-shaped closure member or cover54 centrally provided with a conventional handle 55, all as best seen inFigures 6 and 7.

Extending through the casing 53, the insulating layer 52, and into theshell 41,'is a liquid refrigerant supply line 55 communicating at itsouter end with a conventional high-pressure liquid receiver (not shown)and provided at its inner end with a float-controlled valve 51 formaintaining a constant level of liquid refrigerant in the bottom of theshell 41. Also extending through the casing 53, the insulating layer 52,and communicating with the shell 41 adjacent the lowest point thereof,is a'recirculating line 53, which communicates at its outer end with theintake port of a recirculating pump or the like 53. At its .dischargeport, the pump 59 is'connected with a header supply line extendingthrough registers with, the I for otherwise secured along the lower 4|,all as best seen in be'understood in this connection that a conventionalejector may be mouth or the casing 53, the insulating layer 52, and theupper end of the shell I! for communication with an annular header pipe8| having a plurality of. radially downwardly extending discharge tubes62 and an annular distributing flange or lip 63 of the type moreparticularly described in my co-pending application Serial No. 263,865,filed March 24, 1939.

Also extending through the casing 53, the insulating layer 52, andopening into the shell 41 adjacent the upper end thereof, is a suctionline a 64 having communication at its outer end through a conventionalback-pressure control valve 65 with the suction manifold (not shown) ofany conventional type of refrigerating system. In use and'oper-ation,the liquid refrigerant, entering the casing 41 through the float valve51, is partially evaporated and cooled and is thereupon circulated tothe header BI and cascaded downwardly in the form of a copiously flowingsubstantially uninterrupted film, producing a highly eiiicient coolingeifect in the same manner as previously described.

The apparatus answers andfulfills the objects stated, and it isunderstood that changes and modifications in the form, construction,arrangement, and combination of the several parts of the apparatus maybe made and substituted for those herein shown andv described withoutdeparting from the nature and principle of my invention. 0

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is:

1. A cooler comprising an inner shell, an outer shell disposedembracingly about and spaced from the inner shell, end walls securedrespectively to and extending between adjacent end margins of saidshells for closing the space therebetween,

shell disposed embracingly about and spaced from the inner shell, endwalls secured respectively to and extending between adjacent end marginsof said shells for closing the space therebetween, said outer shellbeing formed .with an outwardly extending header-providing channelhaving a slotted wall, said outer shell being also provided with anoutwardly extending sump-providing trough positioned substantiallyopposite to the header-forming channel, recirculating means connected atone end to the trough and at the other end to the channel, means forsupplyin liquid refrigerant to the trough, and means open-.

ing to the space intermediate the shells for maintaining a predeterminedback-pressure therein.

3. A coolercomprising an inner shell, an outer ,shell disposedembracingly about and spaced from the inner shell, end walls respectivebto e shells for (3) ing a predetermined back-pressure therein, and

65 channel.

and extending between adjacent end margins of said shells for closingtheispace therebetween,

I said outer shell being formed with an upwardly extendingheader-providing channel having an apertured discharge wall, said outershell being also provided with a downwardly extending sumpprovidingtrough, recirculating means connected at one end to the trough and atthe other end to the channel, means for supplying liquid refrigerant insufllcient quantity to maintain a substantially constant level in thetrough, and means opening to the space intermediate the shells formaintaining a predetermined back-pressure there- 4. A cooler, comprisingan inner cylindrical shell, an outer cylindrical shell disposedembracingly about and spaced from the inner shell, end walls securedrespectively to and extending between adjacent end margins of saidshells for closing the space. therebetween in the provision of anannular evaporator space, said outer shell being deformed outwardlyinthe provision of axially extending channels arranged respectively onopposite sides of the shell and in substantially vertical alignment witheach other to provide a header and a sump, a wall member mounted in andextending across the bottom portion of the header and apertured forcommunication with the evaporator space, recirculating means connectedat one endto the sump and at the other end to the header, means forsupplying liquid refrigerant in suflicient quantity to maintain asubstantially constant level in the sump, and means opening to the spaceintermediate the shells for maintaining a predetermined backpressuretherein.

5. A cooler comprising an inner shell, an outer shell disposedembracingly about the inner shell,

ring-shaped fins disposed between and connecting said inner and outershells, a distributing header iformed in the top wall of the outershell, and means operatively associated with the outer shell forcontinuously recirculating liquidrefrigerant from the bottom of saidouter shellto the distributing header.

6. A cooler comprising an inner shell, an outer shell disposedembracingly about and spaced from the inner shell, end walls secured,-respectively to and extending between adjacent end margins of saidshells for enclosing the space therebetween, said outer shell having aheader-forming channel provided with an apertured discharge wall,said-outer shell being also provided with a sumpproviding channelarranged oppositely. to the header-forming channel, recirculating meansconnected. at one end to the sump and at the other end to the header,means for supplying liquid refrigerant to the sump, means opening to thespace intermediate the shells i'or maintaina tube extending through thedischarge wall opening-at its lower end to the space between the innerand outer shells and at its other end opening to'the upper portion ofthe header-forming GEORGE M. mom. I

